What Is Product Stickiness? Metrics, Benchmarks, and Levers

Introduction

Ever wondered why some products are as addictive as your morning coffee while others fade into obscurity? The secret sauce is often product stickiness. It’s what keeps users coming back for more, turning casual visitors into loyal advocates.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the concept of product stickiness, exploring the metrics that matter and the strategies that can boost it. Whether you’re looking to enhance user engagement or drive growth without breaking the bank, understanding stickiness is your ticket. Let’s explore how you can make your product indispensable to your users.

Why product stickiness matters

Think of product stickiness as the glue that keeps users attached to your product. When people use your product repeatedly, it signals loyalty and trust. This kind of dedication builds a community of advocates who spread the word. Check out Statsig’s guide for more context on this.

Regular habits create stable patterns that help in forecasting and planning. A predictable user base sharpens your cost-per-acquisition discipline, especially in product-led strategies. For insights into product-led marketing, have a look at Lenny’s newsletter.

To measure stickiness effectively, the DAU/MAU ratio is your go-to metric. It quantifies routine use, helping you avoid blind spots when paired with cohort analysis. For more details, see our DAU/MAU guide.

Stickiness also fuels low-cost growth loops. Organic content and virality expand your reach with minimal cost. But remember: this only works when your core value drives users to return.

Here's how to leverage stickiness for decision-making:

• Focus on activation and habit-forming pathways; then expand distribution.

• Set goals using both leading and lagging metrics.

• Align with SaaS metrics like churn and ARR to keep your financial health in check.

Metrics that reveal stickiness

Let’s talk metrics. The DAU/MAU ratio is a great starting point. It shows how often users come back, suggesting dependency on your product. For more on this, check out our DAU/MAU guide.

Session length and count also offer valuable insights. Short, frequent sessions might indicate your product fits smoothly into daily routines, while longer sessions suggest deep engagement.

But don’t just stop at logins. True engagement happens when users interact with core features without needing a nudge. This activity is a real indicator of product stickiness.

For a deeper dive into metrics, explore discussions on good product metrics. Understanding these signals gives you a clearer picture of your product’s role in users' lives.

Benchmarks and real-world insights

Industry benchmarks can be your compass. They help you gauge if your product’s stickiness is above average. For SaaS and consumer products, dive into community threads for common benchmarks.

Behavior patterns reveal the secrets behind repeat use. By analyzing user data, you identify features that form lasting habits. This approach digs deeper than surface metrics, highlighting what truly matters.

Compare your stickiness against DAU/MAU standards or see how top teams discuss product metrics.

Watch out for these signs:

• High stickiness: Frequent returns and consistent use of core features.

• Low stickiness: Quick drop-offs or users who don’t come back.

Real-world insights from retention analysis can illuminate your product’s true value. Focusing on these aspects makes it easier to keep users coming back.

Levers to enhance ongoing engagement

Customized onboarding is key. It introduces users to core benefits rather than just features, making it easier to form habits. Tailored onboarding boosts stickiness because users grasp what's important from day one.

Continuous updates, driven by user feedback, are crucial. These tweaks keep your product relevant and engaging. By addressing pain points, you encourage users to return, deepening stickiness.

Successful teams lean on feedback loops, not just gut feelings. Gather insights through product analytics and user interviews. For practical frameworks, check out discussions on product metrics.

Track the impact of changes. Look for shifts in metrics like DAU, MAU, and retention to validate progress. Our user stickiness metrics guide offers actionable ways to measure these effects.

Closing thoughts

Understanding and enhancing product stickiness is crucial for keeping users engaged and driving growth. Dive deeper with the resources mentioned throughout this blog, and utilize Statsig’s tools to refine your strategies. Hope you find this useful!